Works of Fisher Ames: With a Selection from His Speeches and Correspondence - Vol. 1

tion will recommend it to you. To-morrow expect to hear
the bells ring, and the light-horse blow their trumpets, on
my reaching New York. If Governor Jay will not do that
for me, let him get his treaty defended by Camillus and such
understrappers. I intend to pass two days there, and three
more will, I trust, set me down in Philadelphia. Do not let
me go down to the pit of the Indian Queen. It is Hades,
and Tartarus, and Periphlegethon, Cocytus, and Styx, where
it would be a pity to bring all the piety and learning that he
must have, who knows the aforesaid infernal names. Pray
leave word at the said Queen, or, if need be, at any other
Queen's, where I may unpack my weary household gods.
I am the better for the journey, although I have, at least
three times, been so ill as to come near fainting. My country's good alone could draw a man so sick from home,--
saving that I am not sick, and shall do my country no good.
That, however, is not allowed by counsel, to impair the obligation to pay me six dollars per day. Forbearing to be
mischievous is said to be a valid consideration. I shall not
prove a troublesome lodger, nor call for little messes; a slice
of dry bread at noon, wine-whey frequently at bedtime, will
be all the addenda to the common attendance. Your offer to
lodge with me in the same house is really very friendly, as
you might well expect to find me both stupid and hyp'd.
If I should prove otherwise and better, it will be a just
reward for your generous friendship.

Yours, &c.

TO THOMAS DWIGHT.

Philadelphia, February 11, 1796.

DEAR FRIEND,--I arrived here the 9th, and am, after
a day's discomposure by the journey, the better for the exercise. Several times, on the way, I was very ill. I should
have sent you an account of myself, had I known where a
letter would hit you. This doubt will shorten this epistle.

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